Imphal, October 17: At least four underground activists have been reportedly killed by security forces in separate encounters which took place in different parts of the State today.

In the first encounter, three cadres of the proscribed PULF were killed by a combined force at Serou Minou hillock under Tengnoupal Police Station of Chandel district in the wee hours today.

PRO Assam Rifles identified the slain cadres as members of PULF Azad faction.

They were self-styled deputy home secretary of the outfit Abdul Karim alias Lalboy (32), self styled Private Zahir Khan alias Jiribam alias Khan (24) and self-styled Private Syed Khan alias Henry (20).Abdul Karim was a high ranking cadre of PULF before it was divided and was involved inter-factional clashes and killing of two cadres, the PRO said, adding that search of the encounter site led to recovery of one AK-47 Rifle with magazine, 18 live rounds of ammunition, one Chinese hand grenade, one Single Bore Shot Gun (Country made), two cartridge of Single Bore Shot Gun and two pouches.

The bodies alongwith recovered items have been handed over to Kakching Police Station, the PRO said.

According to information received by the press, based on specific information about the presence of some underground activists near Serou Minou hillock, located along T Minou Road, some 35/40 kms east of Tengnoupal Police Station at around 3 am today, a combined force of Thoubal Police Commandos and 34 Assam Rifles stationed at Thoubal rushed in to launch an operation.

As the combined team approach the hillock, the suspected underground activists who were already there opened fired.

The combined force also retaliated the firing and killed three suspected UGs.

Each of the bodies bore more than three bullet marks.

Police retrieved all the three bodies in the afternoon and deposited the same at Lilong PHC.

However, in the absence of any official report from the side of the Assam Rifles, the bodies remained at the PHC till late in the afternoon.

All the bodies were finally brought to the mortuary of RIMS later during the day.

The post-mortems are likely to be conducted tomorrow.

While the bodies were lying at Lilong PHC, family members came and identified two of the bodies as that of Md Syed Khan (16) of Thoubal Moijing Leingoijin and Abdul Kadim alias Lalboy (26) of Khergao.

According to Md Maipak, an elder brother of slain Md Syed Khan, Shahid was the youngest of the 10 siblings, seven sisters and three brother.

He studied till class V due to poverty and to supplement the income of the family he run a grocery shop at Moijing Bazar.

He was still a bachelor and did not have connection with any underground organisations.

But his whereabouts had not been known for the last four-five days after he had gone out from home.

On the other hand, the family members of slain Abdul Kadim said he did not returned home for the past 4-5 years and he was unmarried.

In yet another encounter, one sergeant of the proscribed UNLF was reportedly killed by personnel of 7 Assam Rifles posted at Moirang Khunou at Thangalawai at around 12.5 pm today.

According to information received by the press, the slain activist as been identified Salam Raju (35) s/o Salam Ibocha Singh of Thangalawai Sabal Leikai.

Assam Rifles source claimed that he was a self styled sergeant of the outlawed UNLF.

In connection with the encounter, a statement of the PIB Defence Wing said based on specific information of some UGs in Thangalawai area, troops of 7 AR under he aegis of Red Shied Division, located at Moirang Khunou of Bishnupur district launched a search operation.

While conducting the operation, great care had to be exercise so as not to disturb he people who were busy in their daily chores as also not to cause any harm to the people if exchange of fire became unavoidable.

The UG cadre hiding in a house, however, got alarmed as the search party reached the village and ran away from the rear door towards the paddy field.

Observing some suspicious movement, the troop challenged in the general direction as a result of which the patrol was fired upon.

In the brief ensuing fire, the UG was killed at around 12.10 pm.

Search of the area have also led to recovery of a 9 mm pistol with some ammunition, the PIB Defence Wing statement added.

The body has been picked by the police and kept at the mortuary of RIMS for post-mortem which is expected to be conducted tomorrow.

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